Deck Cost - Buyer Experiences and Price Information

Regarding the post by Jsmith in Charlotte, NC...

A breakdown on prices is very different from a base price with optional items as additional cost. I always give a base price (i.e.a basic PT deck) and then let the customer know what the additional costs will be (Azek, TimberTech, etc. vinyl or composite rails, tropical hardwoods, etc.).

As far as including overhead in my horly rate...of course overhead is included in my hourly rate. It is also applied to materials. That is the way it is done. Regardless of where the overhead is applied the price comes out to be the same. Either the hourly rate will be ridiculously high (in the eyes of the homeowner) or the markup can be applied to both material and labor. I use the same markup no mattrer what size project, where I am building, or who I am building for. My markup covers all overhead expenses, direct job expenses, and a 10% company profit. If there is a better way to do it or I am missing something please show me.

Finally, the only way I will give a written, detailed proposal is after the potential customer has given me a budget to work with (in addition to other information regarding the project). This is done for several reasons one of which is to make sure the budget is realistic and second I need to know how much money a person is comfortable in spending so I can determine which materials to use and how the project is to be assembled.

I could go on but I hope this was helpful.

recieved a proposal to build my 12X26 deck with one stair along the entire length on two sides. A storage bin 2x10 19 inch high. no railings. He told me he uses #1 wood and will double face edges so you do not see the ends. is this to high

This bid is for a completed, stained, cedar, 12ft high deck with stairs that have a landing. The railing will have concrete wire fence material, instead of pickets. TO HIGH?

We had an Azek deck installed about 30-40 inches off the ground. It had a 6 foot wide steps to the ground. The railing was simple white vinyl. THe other estimates we had we around 10,000.

I have a bid to take down and rebuild my deck that is rotting in spots. The contractor in my area (MO) said to remove the old deck, put up a new one with pressure treated wood, & also stain it in any color I want would be $2700. I was told by another contractor that decks in our area run about $5000 + for a basic deck. Is this a fair price? Some have said its high others said good price. The deck also has 1 (one) landing with closely placed railing posts on the deck, stairs, and under the stairs just to not have an open space there.

We recently purchased a home in Fairfield County, CT
which has an existing deck. Rot was evident in the doorway threshold and floor from the deck to the interior of the house. A carpenter told us that the deck was built without flashing and attached to the ledger with nails instead of lag bolts. Clearly there is rot beneath the ledger as well. My question is: Is it possible to repair this damage and make the deck structurally sound or is it preferable and more cost effective to rebuild the entire deck. Thank you.

In answer to your question as to why homeowners want a breakdown, it's very simple, we want to know what we are getting and how much more or less we can add or subtract. When contracting someone to do a project, I don't always know exactly what I want or what I can afford. If I ask you for a multi-level deck with the top materials I would like to know where to shave off the design to get back to my budget numbers. Your "overhead" cost should be included in your hourly rate-- that's how most other business are run. Nobody is trying to deny you the cost of running your business but we also don't want to pay for an inefficiently run business (although I'm sure you run a tight business, I would have no way of knowing that). Materials will fluctuate in price and should be the same for every estimate different contractors give-- your "labor" charge is your cost of doing business combined with what people will pay for your experience and service.

We were quoted $16,000 from a contractor to build a 12x14 screened deck and a 4x14 open area. It would have a shed rood, Azek decking, Fire X beams (for fire protection laws), vinyl rails, flat white soffit ceiling, screen under decking, and gutters and shingles to match the house. Is this a fair price?

Re-decking in my area goes for about $30 a sq. ft if you are using Azek...Mid grade composites like Evergrain around $29 a sq. ft....Including rails

I was just reading all of these posts, some of which are very accurate and some if which really come from people who have no idea what they are talking about. I work for a regional scale home improvement company doing sales so I see the differences everyday. I have to say that if you are looking to have a deck built for your permanent residence, I would NEVER spend less then $32/ sq. ft....that is without steps or anything. If you want to go high end composite like Azek, you should definitely be in the $40 to $45/ sq. ft. range. I am not saying that there arent little Billy Bob contractors that do good work, but the odds that they have ALL the proper insurances (liability, comp and a bond) and will be around in ten years to honor that lifetime warranty is very unlikely. In my area you can get a little contractor do build an Azek deck for about $25/ sq. ft. Now that little guy is making a few bucks off of that job, but he is not making anywhere near enough to sustain a company that will be in business for 20, 30 or even 50 years. It costs a little more to get professional installers who take pride in their work. Dont be fooled by the "We don't use subcontractors" line...EVERYONE uses subcontractors...There is no such thing as a W-2 employee deck installer. But the QUALITY of the subcontractor is directly related to the quality of their work. Think about it...it makes sense, doesn't it?

I been asked to replace the decking on a 12x42 deck with composite.also the railing/spindles too. the job is in Chery Hill N.J. what should i charge the homeowner?

Went with 3 separate bids which averaged about 6700-9500 for a similar size deck. Deck is Octagonal and includes black aluminum balasters and lights for the stairs. Went with this contractor as I liked their work compared to the other two.
Pricing materials and other I could have done it for about 5000, but I value my time.

A contractor offered to tear down our old deck and build a new, larger deck made of brown treated wood for $1200 in order to get my husband to accept their bid for roofing, siding and windows. Before they made this offer I had asked how much it would cost to build the deck using the treated wood since all of our estimates were for Trex decking materials. He never answered my question before making the offer.

my deck is 15'x25' and 48" high. I got a price of $18,727 complete materials and labor. This includes ripping the old deck down. It's cca framing, composite decking with pvc railings, there are also 3 sets of steps. The contractor is going to put the decking material around the skirt of the deck and steps. Is this a reasonable price?

I just got a quote of $19750. This deck is single level with 27 by 16. It has 5/4 IPE deck and railings. It also uses hidden fasteners. The railing is aluminum ballusters made by Deck Solutions LLC. It has stairs going down to the ground. The cost also includes staining.
Is this cost reasonable?

Estimate deck amt includes timbertech deck rails stairs also includes materials n labor for opening side of the house installing 6x6anderson sliding door includes electric, heating moved. Is this a fair price?

Please let me know how much an 18x26 deck, 2ft off the ground, with 2 sets of stairs should cost. There are existing footings from the previous deck. Not sure if we should go with Trex or Azek - which will hide scratches (from dogs) better?

What can I expect a quote to come in for Trex decking, 238 sq ft 17 x14, 7.5 ft off the ground, new footings, no tear down. With grill cut out.

I am having the just the decking replaced around my pool and 35ft of composite railing replaced. I got price of $9000. That seems high. What do you think

Just wondering about how much a composite deck with vinyl railings would be.

I am planning to put up a deck and i got a quote from a contractor for 8800 for composite deck and the railing will be wood. There is also a stairs going down and the height of the deck from the ground is 8 ft. is this price high or low.

is this a good price.. flagstone pavers around the pool

SCRABB I am a Deck builder in the Northern KY Cincinnati area. That price if it does not include stairs is a little high. I would do the same in this are for @$5,500 without steps or $6,100 But I am not aware of your lumber pricing in that area

I am replacing a 10 x 19 ft redwood deck (about 25 years old) with a 12 X19 ft pressure treated deck. Will have new footers and spindle rails due to new building rules. Reliable builder. cost to remove old deck is $750, rest is cost of material & labor. Is this a good price?

Cost of materials. Did labor myself. Used upgraded pressure treated wood

Hi, wondering if anyone has used this 100% PVC product. Its slightly more expensive then Azek according to the lumber place. The colors are beautiful we like the cherry. But have not heard of the product or know anyone who has a deck in it. Appreciate any feedback.

beach walk way extension 4x4 post / 2x6 framing / ipe decking , face screws
walkway is 65' long and 4.5' wide
the walkway is a about a thousand feet to where project starts with generator needed to work lots of toteing $33.64 PER SQUARE FOOT

This is a deck extension in Lake Tahoe, Ca which requires extension of one landing and a 2nd landing for a switchback. The staircase is 16' 3 1/4". The builder originally quoted $9000 but there were some changes when it was engineered and now he is estimating $16000. They will be using high quality materials, customizing the timbers, and staining.

This deck came out the back door with no stairs. It was built to cover a bad concrete patio, unsightly with danger to owners of falling.

We just finished an "L"-shaped +/- 16x20 in Spring, Texas (just outside Houston). It sets about 2' off the ground, has 2 sets of 2 stairs each, built-spindle handrail surrounding and as stair rails, enclosed lattice base, wired-up for and installed ceiling fan, 4x4 supports with finished plywood ceiling underneath shingles, 2 4x4 braces (with lag-bolts installed) on each of the 8 posts, stained, and a 4'Hx4'W gate built of 2x4s with a matching fence on other end connecting deck to regular wood-slat fence. roof goes something like this: on one end
/ on other end
with a tree growing in the "L." We charged only $3500 (plus $2000 in materials) for the original deck only. She thinks all the other stuff she added afterwards was supposed to be included in that $3500. She crazy -- or us?!